With the opening of the Folketing on Tuesday 6 October, the parliamentary work has now really started, and the two members of the Folketing elected in Greenland, Qarsoq Høegh-Dam (Naleraq) and Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA), are both happy about that, as they both attended Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s presentation of the state of the kingdom in the Folketingsalen.
An agreement with Greenland
With the opening of the Folketing on Tuesday 6 October, the parliamentary work has now really started, and the two members of the Folketing elected in Greenland, Qarsoq Høegh-Dam (Naleraq) and Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA), are both happy about that, as they both attended Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s presentation of the state of the kingdom in the Folketingsalen.
An agreement with Greenland
During the nearly one-hour long speech, Mette Frederiksen addressed the Greenlandic population directly with a “Dear Greenlanders. It is not more than two weeks since we entered into an agreement with the United States”.
Next, she emphasized that it was not an agreement sore Greenland, but an agreement with Greenland.
“An agreement that fully respects the Kingdom’s red lines. The Kingdom’s sovereignty. And that establishes. That no one can challenge your right to decide your own future.”
Next followed a recognition of Kalaallit Nunaat, and a big thank you to Jens-Frederik Nielsen, whom she highlighted as a “clever, forward-looking and capable” leader.
Officials and staff involved in working on the agreement were also thanked.
“There are many of you to whom the credit should go. And I dare to raise an eye and say thank you on behalf of the entire Parliament today. Greenland and Denmark stood firm when we had to. On the basic principles we must never deviate from.
Change to improve
For Naaja H. Nathanielsen, it was a clear speech that reflects the close cooperation that has existed between Greenland and Denmark over the past year and a half.
– Those were some nice words, which largely reflect the experience we have had in both Inatsisartut and Naalakkersuisut, where there has been close and constructive cooperation throughout. It was a clear speech – and at the same time also touching.
– I think there is broad agreement that Mette Frederiksen as Prime Minister has been good for Greenland. But there is also broad agreement that we still want changes to the existing system. And I noticed that the prime minister said during the speech: “We must still change to improve”. And I think that also applies to the relationship within the Kingdom. For the two things may well be true at the same time; That we have a good collaboration, but that we still need to change some conditions, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen.
We still have a lot to discuss
Qarsoq Høegh-Dam praises the prime minister for her attempt to pronounce “Kalaallit Nunaat”, but is also critical of the assertion of Denmark as the world’s best country.
– It was a good attempt to pronounce Kalaallit Nunaat. I would like to acknowledge that. But I also notice that the Danes are constantly spoken to, and that Denmark is spoken of as the best country in the world. Denmark is not the best country in the world for Greenlanders living in Denmark. There is still much we need to discuss, says Qarsoq Høegh-Dam, who in this election period will have a special focus on raising the areas for which Denmark is responsible in Greenland to a standard required by the Self-Government Act.
On Thursday, Naaja H. Nathanielsen and Qarsoq Høegh-Dam themselves will be on the podium when the prime minister’s opening speech is debated at the opening debate.
